Taylor Swift, the globally acclaimed singer-songwriter, recently opened up about her love for audiobooks on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The 35-year-old superstar revealed that when she’s not crafting chart-topping hits, one of her favorite pastimes is diving into a good audiobook — and she’s “constantly” doing it.

Taylor Swift’s Audiobook Addiction

During her appearance, Colbert asked Swift if she listens to audiobooks, to which she responded enthusiastically: “Yes! Constantly.” She explained that she doesn’t just stop at one; as soon as she finishes an audiobook, she immediately starts a new one.

This habit highlights Swift’s dedication not only to her music but also to literature, proving that the multi-talented artist values storytelling in all its forms.

The Book Tropes That Capture Her Attention

When Colbert inquired about her favorite types of stories, Swift gave a detailed and playful description of the elements she gravitates toward. Unsurprisingly, she’s drawn to books reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier’s classic novel Rebecca.

She elaborated, “So if you’ve got an old, like, rambling, shambles old British mansion covered in moss or ivy and there’s like a mysterious relationship, and he may not be what he seems. And there’s like a murder that has happened in the past, but you hear whispers of it. There’s the idea of a ghost or an actual ghost.” The audience responded with laughter, clearly entertained by Swift’s vivid literary tastes.

Swift also shared that she enjoys stories featuring:

• Unreliable narrators
• Troubled marriages
• Unexpected plot twists

She joked, “If there is a marriage and the marriage isn’t what it seems… plot twist, unreliable narrator, she is the psycho.”

Colbert, amused, responded, “That sounds like a great book,” to which Swift added, “If you got any of that, I’m gonna need to read that. And when I say read that, I’m gonna need someone to read that to me.”

Literary Influences in Taylor Swift’s Music

Swift’s love for literature isn’t limited to her audiobook habits. According to Taylor Swift By the Book: The Literature Behind the Lyrics, from Fairy Tales to Tortured Poets by Rachel Feder and Tiffany Tatreau, several of her songs contain literary references.

These inspirations span a wide range of genres and writers, including:

• Homer’s The Iliad
• Poets Dylan Thomas and Patti Smith, featured in her TTPD album

Additionally, fans have noticed books featured in her home during public appearances and interviews. For example, when Swift announced her latest album The Life of a Showgirl on her fiancé Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast, titles on her shelves included Dieter Rams: The Complete Works and Cats. Photographs by Susan Michals, Reuel Golden, Walter Chandoha.

Why Taylor Swift’s Book Choices Matter

Swift’s deep appreciation for literature showcases her intellectual curiosity and creativity. Her audiobook habit demonstrates how storytelling in books influences her songwriting, lyrical themes, and even her public persona. Fans can look to her literary interests as inspiration for their own reading lists, and her endorsements bring attention to both classic and contemporary works.